Stick to the Script
Let's focus on what matters...
The Word has the final say - no matter what they say.
The scriptures have such a purity to them. What I’ve noticed throughout the years, is that many people often try to refute it’s purity in many ways. One of those ways, that continues to confuse believers and non-believers alike, is the argument about different translations.
Of course, there are many translations of the Word of God that may often leave people wondering how to apply God’s word to their lives.
Here’s what I’ve discovered on my journey as I’ve pursued Christ:
God’s Word never changes, even if the interpretations are different. One thing that is consistent is the MESSAGE of the Gospel. I often feel that people buck against the Bible having different translations as a means to simply buck against God. I’ve never read The Amplified, English Standard Version (one of my new favorite translations), King James or New King James and the message of Christ death, burial and resurrection not be consistent. The wording is certainly different, but the message (I’m praying by now you’ve caught on to what God is saying through me here) is the same - without the son of God coming to redeem us of and pay the penalty for our sins, our lifeline to God doesn’t exist. He gave us one of the greatest gifts of all times - His One and Only Son. He came so that we would have abundant life - in every area of our lives. The enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy. The translation doesn’t matter in these cases, the message does - we know we need a Savior and we know the enemy hates us and is out to destroy us. (John 10:10)
God has led me to different translations of The Word in different stages of my life. When I was in college, I was honest with my First Lady about needing a deeper understanding of the word of God. She bought me my first New Living Translation Bible (which, even at the writing of this post, people argue shouldn’t be used). At that time, I was still acting crazy out in them Philly streets (wink, wink), but couldn’t wait to get home to read my bible and absorb more of God - listen, ya girl was on fire! I was receiving a deeper revelation into who God was and that was what helped me create a space for God to change me from the inside out. Should we be careful as we study scriptures to be sure we’re getting the original meaning as we study? Absolutely. But should we negate how God sends us the message during the season we’re in where He knows we’ll get the message more clearly? No, we shouldn’t. When I was in college, the New Living Translation spoke to me in a way that made me check myself regularly. It was plain and simple, and I couldn’t deny the impact of God’s word because I had no more excuses since the “thou” and “thy” weren’t there for me to complain about. FYI: The “thou” and “thy” are important. Just speaking to where I was then.
Photo by Etty Fidele on Unsplash God is a Creative God. He is always creating ways for Him to connect to His people and for His people to connect with Him. His creative powers did not stop at the creation of the world and mankind. In fact, it continued throughout the entire Bible and continues today. I believe the same way God used the men who wrote the Bible then, is the same way He is breathing life and inspiration to the chosen who have interpreted the word for the people of this age. Now, I always use the King James Version and use other translations to study the word further and get deeper meaning, but to negate the fact that the same Spirit that rested on the author’s of the written text back then, can’t use a new set of men and women to incite deeper revelation so that more souls can be saved would be me telling God that His creative power is limited.
Bottom line - stick to the script.
Don’t let the minuscule arguments from the world and those who don’t want to believe (or perhaps your own thoughts rumbling in your mind) stop you from accessing God’s word. Pray before reading it and pray while reading it. Ask God what translation works for you and read it inside and out. One thing the Holy Spirit doesn’t do is lead people astray or lie. God is your partner in this thing. It’s a relationship, so as long as you stick to the script, God can speak to you, through you and give you the understanding you long for. Lastly, if He tells you to stop reading a certain translation, do it. But don’t project your challenges with a translation onto someone who could be getting transformed by the impact of the Word of God in the translation they best understand it.
Worship Song: “Word of God Speak” by MercyMe
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